Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Arabs — Dundee United need YOU!
DUNDEE United need YOU, Arabs, as they head into the crunch time of their entire season.
Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Dumbarton was a big disappointment, there’s no getting away from that, but I was surprised at the volume of negative posts about the game online from fans.
Loads pointed the finger at the chairman and I think even he would expect that but a lot are turning their anger on manager Ray McKinnon.
His job is a serious rebuild after the Titanic-sized disaster of the relegation season.
He’s basically had to put a whole new squad together on a much smaller budget than previous and attract players to a lower league.
It was always going to take time and it’s obvious at the moment that’ll be the case whether they go up or stay in the Championship.
And this division gives you absolutely nothing. Say what you want about the standard or quality of some of the play but you have to work incredibly hard to get wins.
Just ask Hibs — it’s taken them three years to get back to the Premiership.
The Tangerines still have the opportunity to get up among the big boys again where they belong.
But, to do so, they need all the help they can get from the stands.
To succeed over the next few weeks, I would urge Dundee United fans to put all their gripes to one side just for a few games and get behind the boys in tangerine.
They might not be the standard you’re used to at Tannadice but one thing that can’t be aimed at them is a lack of effort or desire.
And they’re the only players you’ve got till the end of the season so, Arabs, give them all the backing you possibly can and they might just react.
Whether Dundee United are in the Championship or the Premiership next campaign, I can only think there will be big changes to the playing squad.
I’d be surprised if half the team that takes on Morton on Saturday starts next season’s opener, whatever division they find themselves in.
For now, though, I urge United fans to stick by their manager and his team and save any criticism for afterwards.
Difficult, I know, but in-fighting and discord aren’t going to bring about any positives in the short term and at the moment short-term is all that matters.